2023 Environmental Awards
[Group-1]
1. Development of a method to assess the sustainable development implicat ions associated with climate change mitigation
- Shinichiro Fujimori
- Tomoko Hasegawa
- Kiyoshi Takahashi
Decarbonization of the society is an urgent issue, but reducing GHG emissions can affect society unintendedly as a whole and there could be environmental issues other than climate change. Therefore, this study clarified the side effects of GHG emission reductions on society and the environment by adding a novel method for assessing the poverty, hunger, and biodiversity to the integrated assessment model which is typically used for estimating long-term socio-economic and energy systems, land use, and GHG emissions. The results indicate that GHG reduction measures in the form of simple carbon pricing can have negative impacts on hunger, poverty, and biodiversity.
2. Development of subsurface LNAPL recovery technology with vacuum assisted oleophilic plastic board drain method
- Kajima Corp.
- Kinjo Rubber Co., Ltd
This technology efficiently recovers subsurface free-product petroleum hydrocarbons using a multiphase extraction method. It utilizes a unique highly oleophilic drain material to increase oil recovery efficiency. Additionally, a survey method has been established to precisely identify the location of oil layers in the ground, improving design accuracy. Furthermore, a construction method has been developed that allows drains to be installed even on hard ground with a strength index N-value of 20, expanding the range of applications. While groundwater pumping typically takes decades to recover small amounts of oil, this technology can achieve the same effect in months or years, resulting in significant cost reduction.
3. Development of a survey method for biological monitoring using environmental DNA and its application to construction sites
- Taisei Corp.
- Kobe Uni．
Construction in coastal area or Satoyama requires environmental assessments based on on-site surveys to preserve rare flora, fauna and finally ecosystems.
Conventional survey methods mainly involve visual observation by experts, such as exploration and diving, which requires expertise and a great deal of labor. Thus, improvements in survey methods are required.
Our group focused on environmental DNA analysis, which is a method to analyze DNA from biological tissue fragments or excrement. We conducted the research to evaluate applicability of this method on three construction sites. This project was praised for demonstrating the excellent applicability of environmental DNA analysis which was worth this award.
[Group-2]
1. The first case of the environmental management plan (for a infrastructure project) in Japan and the actions toward environmental preservation of a Ramsar site - Miyama Tunnel project and Nakaikemi-shicchi, the Hokuriku Shinkansen -
- Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency
- Hokuriku Shinkansen Construction Bureau
Miyama Tunnel project, on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kanazawa - Tsuruga route, is the first large-scale public construction work in Japan which is close to a Ramsar site, Nakaikemi-shicchi. In accordance with the Ramsar Convention, we prepared the environmental management plan for the first time in Japan.
Based on the plan we hold the expert committee and the government officials and citizens joined the meetings as observers. Also, the information is disclosed to public on the website.
With appropriate environment preservation approach on each step of the project from planning to construction and completion, we successfully minimized environmental effects to the wetland.
